Having a shed in your backyard or garden is a huge advantage, especially if you live in the suburbs.
Today, most houses are filled with clutter and unnecessary items that we only need occasionally. A report shows that 73% of Aussie households reckon their homes are messy! This is when a shed comes in handy. Not only can it provide heaps of storage space, but the right kind of shed also makes the backyard look more beautiful!
If you live in Gold Coast and need some tips and tricks on choosing the right shed, then you should definately keep reading!
1. Check your needs
The first thing to do while planning to build a shed is to consider your needs. Different folks have different requirements for a shed. While some might want a small shed just to store basic tools and machinery, others prefer a multi-functional shed that can serve as both storage space and a workspace.
Depending on the size of the shed, you’ll also have to check if you need permission from the City of Gold Coast.
Here are some of the situations where you might need special permission from the authorities:
- The area of your shed has to be larger than 10 sq metres
- The overall height of the shed is more than 2.4 metres, or the mean height is more than 2.1 metres
- The shed being built is attached to another structure, such as a garage or another storage unit
- The shed is being built over a sewer or stormwater
- The area of the shed lies on common property, and there is no consent from all parties involved
2. Choose your add-ons
Remember, a shed isn’t just a structure with four walls and a roof. If you wish to make the most use of it, add some extra features. While many of these features are optional and may be removed, here are some of the important add-ons that you should consider:
- Sliding doors on two sides of the shed
- Proper roof insulation
- Internal partitions, especially if you want to divide the shed into a workspace and a storage unit
- Vermin proofing
- Multiple windows to allow ventilation
If you want any additional customisations to your plan, you should get in touch with a Gold Coast Shed company. Their professionals will understand your specific needs and tell you which add-ons will be perfect for you.
3. Opt for the right size
While it might seem tempting to go for a large-sized shed, you don’t have to build it if you’re not going to use it often.
When determining the area of the Gold Coast shed, you must consider the boundary setback. A boundary setback is the minimum distance that a shed must have with the property boundary to maintain safety.
Here are some of the basic guidelines regarding setback areas:
- If the house plot is less than 450 square metres and is located in a low-density area, then the boundary setback should be 6 metres, with 1 metre from the wall or balcony. The maximum height of the shed can be 3.5 metres in this case.
- If the house plot is greater than 450 sq metres and is located in a low-density area, then the boundary setback remains the same. However, the rear setbacks will differ depending on the size of the shed that you wish to build. You should ideally contact a professional Gold Coast shed company to measure the plot and give you accurate numbers.
4. Keep the weather in mind
When you’re planning to build a shed, you’ll invest a lot of money and time. So, it’s important to build a shed that is sturdy and can handle unpredictable weather conditions.
Unfortunately, the Gold Coast weather can be unpleasant at times, so you have to ensure that the structure you’ve built stays strong. To do this, go through the different building codes and guidelines mentioned in the National Construction Code.
Some common shed materials are wood, metal, vinyl, and resin. While wooden sheds look beautiful, they can degrade over time. On the other hand, steel sheds are extremely durable but might not look appealing.
Conclusion
Now that you have a basic idea of the different requirements needed before building a shed, it’s time to do your research! Make sure to customise it according to your list of specifications and write down a budget list.
